Upgrading

[Ben Rolston]

Hi,
In light of the fact that I now have a NS Cleveland, I am consider upgrading from the beginners bow which I currently have. I might have missed it but but I didn't see any type of bow buying guide in this part of the forum (if there is point me to it). I'm looking for bow buying tips which are more than "you just have to go check them out yourself." I will of course check out bows but I don't really know what to look for so help is appreciated (even suggestions for bows).

Info about myself:
I play german on a Cleveland with Spiro Mittles
I am a jazz player, and am mostly interested in the bow for reasons of getting my technique together. Although it would be fun to do some orchestra work in college if the section needed another player.
I am really just looking for a bow which will be more fun to play on.
Looking to spend maybe around $500 in the future.

Thanks,
Ben

[jfv]

500 is still in the beginner bow price range. I'll tell you what
I would do for a bow in that range, I would go buy one of
Ken Smith's bows, the pictures on his site look pretty good
and the BIG advantage is that Ken is always around to
harass if you arent satisfied And no, I'm not being paid
by Ken to say this (course if he wanted to send me a free
bow for the shameless plug I wouldnt send it back either )

Good luck in your quest,

[sibass89]

Call David Gage in New York City and have him ship you some bows. I have a Werner shop bow, that I got from Gage for 450, and its taking me through a College.

Gage has some good bows for the value, if you give him a call he will send out about 4 bows on trial.

[billyfalconer]

I think you might be a good candidate for one of the better carbon bows.

[kontrabass]

Bob Gollihur's bows are also hard to beat for the price.

[Ben Rolston]

Originally Posted by billyfalconer

I think you might be a good candidate for one of the better carbon bows.

Like what?

[Ben Rolston]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

You have a Cleveland? Then why not consult Arnold and see what he recommends?? He worked on your Bass, is a schooled Bass player himself and also sells Bass Bows.

Extremely good idea, Thanks

[Ludwig]

I don't play to much with a bow, but would like to practise some more and get a good bow in the beginner price range under 500, too. My problem: With cheaper bows, there should be more weaknesses, but how can I identify them ?
Having not much practise with a bow, I can feel a difference (or sometimes not) when playing two different bows. But in many cases, I don't know, what is better and what is worse.
Is the bow, that works better with long notes, the one to take or should I choose the other one, that makes playing staccato a little easier ?
How is one going to select a bow ?
What tests and play patterns should be used ?
How long or heavy should the bow be, how far from the frog should be the center point of weight ?
How much should the bow bend when playing ?
How to find the best tension of the hair ?

[bejoyous]

I got one of Ken Smith's Tecchler bows. It is quite a nice bow for the money.

[billyfalconer]

Originally Posted by Ben Rolston

Originally Posted by billyfalconer
I think you might be a good candidate for one of the better carbon bows.

Originally Posted by Ben Rolston

Like what?

See the thread titled "Thinking of getting a Carbon-Fiber Bow."

[jfv]

Originally Posted by Ludwig

I don't play to much with a bow, but would like to practise some more and get a good bow in the beginner price range under 500, too. My problem: With cheaper bows, there should be more weaknesses, but how can I identify them ?
Having not much practise with a bow, I can feel a difference (or sometimes not) when playing two different bows. But in many cases, I don't know, what is better and what is worse.
Is the bow, that works better with long notes, the one to take or should I choose the other one, that makes playing staccato a little easier ?
How is one going to select a bow ?
What tests and play patterns should be used ?
How long or heavy should the bow be, how far from the frog should be the center point of weight ?
How much should the bow bend when playing ?
How to find the best tension of the hair ?

LOL, If someone puts a $100 bow or a $5000 bow in your
hands how will you tell the difference? ... you won't, thats
what people study with a teacher for 5 years or 10 years
for.

Francois Rabbath sums it up beautiful "The bow, its NOT the
stick, its your ARM" (Art of the Bow DVD)

And training that arm, just like training an athlete, isnt about
WORDS, its about physical development and that needs a
trainer, aka a teacher.

SO, first go find a top notch teacher, and let him or her tell you
what bow to buy, and then help you find these answers.

Peace,

[Ludwig]

I don't have a teacher, and everybody else around here plays with german bow grip. I play cello, too, and prefere the french grip. 5000 is much out of scope, the question is regarding bows between 100 and 500.
The question is: what tests to use to decide, which bow to choose from the ones available. Even a teacher has to use some tests on which to base his recommendation and criteria, what is better besides personnel, unspecified preference.

[Snakewood]

I know someone selling an excellent Marco Raposo german bow for 500 CAD. I can give you his phone number in Toronto if you wish?

[D McCartney]

Originally Posted by Ludwig

The question is: what tests to use to decide, which bow to choose from the ones available. Even a teacher has to use some tests on which to base his recommendation and criteria, what is better besides personnel, unspecified preference.

I'm relatively new to DB, I have a teacher and have been woodshedding with the bow for awhile. My criteria would be to compare it with what I have been using, (an Upton $100. bow.) and with other bows that I would consider upgrading to. I would look for appearance, weight, balance, how it fits my hand, and most important, how it sounds across the strings. I hope to upgrade in the near future as well. Funny, this GAS keeps coming back.

[Ben Rolston]

Originally Posted by Snakewood

I know someone selling an excellent Marco Raposo german bow for 500 CAD. I can give you his phone number in Toronto if you wish?

Do you have any more information on this? Particularly who Raposo is? I don't know.